Rush Campground
- Right now
- Taking bookingsSites offered on 30 of the next 30 nights read 15:55 UTC
- A night
- $16From, per site
- Sites
- 12All of them booked ahead
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 9 notices
In the agency’s own words
Rush Campground is located in the Lower District of the Buffalo National River, and about 17 miles (27.4 km) southeast of Yellville. It has 12 tent-only sites. Drinking water is available when fees are collected from approximately March 15 through November 15. All sites are limited to 6 people per site, and each site is $16 per night. All sites must be reserved in advance. A vault restroom is available year-round. Keep reading
Recreation
The Lower River District allows for extended seasons for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. If there's enough rain, the river is floatable year-round. For hikers and history buffs, the 1.5-mile Rush Mine Level Trail and 0.25-mile Morning Star Loop offer beautiful views of Rush Valley and gives hikers an understanding of the historic mining and landscape. In the 1880s, zinc ore was discovered in the hills and claims were staked out along Rush Valley and neighboring Clabber Creek. Eventually, a community of homes and businesses developed along Rush Creek and endured until the 1960s. Come and explore this unique history as you hike Rush Mountain. Additionally, small-mouth bass, catfish and sunfish are popular fish to catch on the Buffalo River, but visitors should be aware that an Arkansas fishing license is required to fish anywhere on the river. For current paddling conditions, please check with an outfitter (visit our Guided Services web page ), call the Tyler Bend Visitor Center at 870-439-2502, or check the Buffalo National River Float Guide Dashboard Facilities Rush has 12 reservable tent-only sites with potable water available from approximately March 15 through November 15 each year, but no electrical amenities. A vault restroom is available year-round.
Natural Features
The Buffalo National River flows free over swift running rapids and quiet pools for its 135-mile (217 km) length. One of the few remaining rivers in the lower 48 states without dams, the Buffalo cuts its way through massive limestone bluffs traveling eastward through the Arkansas Ozarks and into the White River. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (870) 449-4311.
Nearby Attractions
Rush is located in the Lower District of the Buffalo River, offering access to Clabber Creek, and many great day hiking destinations in the park.
Charges & Cancellations
If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel? Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites. Planned changes to your stay should be made as far in advance as possible. You can make changes to your reservation in My Reservations. Changes If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). There are no additional fees for: Adding or removing nights to your stay. Changing to a different campsite. Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate. Cancellations You can cancel the reservation any time before the date of your scheduled arrival. You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees: $10 cancellation fee Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking) Any previous change fees Late cancellation penalties may also apply: What is “Late”? For individual campsites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 1 calendar day before your scheduled check-in. For cabins and group sites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 14 calendar days or fewer before your scheduled check-in. Late Fee In addition to the fees listed above, a late cancellation will also subtract your first night's recreation use fee from any refund owed. For additional details, please visit here . Changes and Cancellations rules and reservation policies
What the agency tells you
The facility is available for camping free of charge outside of the reservation season, generally November 15th to March 15th every year.
During periods of heavy rainfall, the two creek crossings leading into Rush may become flooded. Be aware of conditions at Rush Creek and use caution when traveling in the area. Never attempt to cross a flooded creek crossing and only proceed when it is safe to do so.
Rush is only available to tent campers. RVs, trailers, pop-up campers, motorhomes, campervans and any other type of recreation vehicle on wheels is prohibited in this campground.
Everything else this campground posts · 6
Climbing and/or diving from the bluffs is dangerous and highly discouraged.
Do not swim alone during high water.
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states.
All park trails are closed to pets with the exception of the Buffalo River Trail, only on the section of trail between Ponca and Steel Creek, the Villines Homestead Trail at Ponca, the Mill Creek Trail, the Tyler Bend Campground trails (Spring Hollow, Buck Ridge, and Rock Wall in the Middle District), and all three Buffalo Point Campground trails (Forest Trail, Overlook Trail, and Campground Trail in the Lower District). Visit the park's hiking page for more information and maps of these trails.
Please be aware that some special events held at the pavilions or anywhere in the park (such as weddings, press receptions, concerts, et al) require a Special Use Permit in addition to the pavilion reservation. To obtain a Special Use Permit or additional information, please contact the Commercial Services office at (870) 365-2724. For more information visit the Special Park Uses page on the park website.
Please be advised that providing business services within an NPS unit is prohibited per CFR 5.3 without a written Authorization or Permit approved by the Superintendent. This includes services such as RV or tent delivery & set-up, firewood sales and delivery, shuttle (transportation) services, and guided hikes, floats, etc. For a list of approved visitor services and to learn more about working with Buffalo National River, please visit the Doing Business with the Park page on the park website.
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 12
- Hookups
- None
- Accessible sites
- None listed
- Pets
- Allowed
- Campfires
- Allowed, barring fire bans
Facilities
- Toilets
- Pit Toilets
- PIT TOILETS on 12 of 12 campsite records
- Drinking water
- Yes
- DRINKING WATER (HAND PUMP) on 12 of 12 campsite records, WATER (SEASONAL) on 12 of 12 campsite records
- Stay limit
- 30 nights
- recreation.gov facility rule maxStay
Around the campground
- On the water
- River, Creek
- Birding
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic site
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Scenic drives
- Stargazing
- Swimming
- Tubing
- Wildlife viewing
10 of 24 site-nights open this Friday and Saturdayread 15:55 UTC
Every site here is reservable, and the record lists none held back for anyone who drives up.
OpenBooked
Watch for a cancellation
Full? Watch it.
One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
Tell me when the season opens
Watch for the season to open
One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.
Every line of the receipt · 13
What you actually pay
Derived by CAMPANAC: the agency’s published rate for this season, $16 a night, plus one $8 recreation.gov reservation fee for the booking. A weekend here means Friday and Saturday night, booked once. Optional charges (an extra vehicle, a second tent, a dump-station fee) are listed separately and aren’t in this total.
“Changes If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees: - $10 cancellation fee - Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking) - Any previous change fees Late cancellati…” · this campground’s own terms
Who keeps the booking fee
The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →
How we know this receipt · 6
recreation.gov availability, read 15:55 UTC · rules read Oct 1, 2026 · rates Sep 10, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
12 sites
All 12 sites
The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 12 of the 12 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.
| Rush | Site 1 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 10 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 11 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 12 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 2 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 3 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 4 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 5 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 6 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 7 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 8 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
| Rush | Site 9 | standard nonelectric | $16 |
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
Carver Campground7.6 mi
Ozark CampgroundBuffalo National River · 7.6 mi
WoolumBuffalo National River · 9.3 mi
Erbie CampgroundBuffalo National River · 11 mi
Kyles Landing CampgroundBuffalo National River · 14 mi
Tyler Bend CampgroundBuffalo National River · 16 miFrom Springfield, MO: Take Highway 65 South through Branson to Harrison. Stay on Highway 65 through Harrison, turn left on Highway 62 and travel to Yellville. At Yellville turn right on Highway 14 East. Travel 11 miles (17.7 km) to County Road 6035 and turn left. Follow County Road 6035 for about 4 miles (6.4 km) and bear right at County Road 635. Drive another 1.5 miles (2.4 km) and the campground will be on the right side of the road.
From Little Rock, AR: Take Highway 65 North to Marshall, at Marshall turn right on Highway 27 North about 11 miles (18 km) to Harriet. Turn left on Highway 14 West and travel about 12 miles (19.3 km) to County Road 6035 and turn left. Follow County Road 6035 for about 4 miles (6.4 km) and bear right at County Road 635. Drive another 1.5 miles (2.4 km) and the campground will be on the right side of the road.
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Mount Judea, AR
Typical weather
Typical October night 45°F, day 73°F.
Coldest month of the year: typical January night 24°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
who answers for it
Who answers for this land
Rush Campground is in Arkansas’s 4th congressional district. Its representative, Bruce Westerman (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →